Sheep Industry News June 2025

on the site. Solar employees were urged not to feed extra treats or leftovers to the dogs, who might neglect their duties while chasing such rewards. “The sheep are vulnerable without the dogs,” Raines said. As a group, they also stressed the importance of providing anytime access to the site. Working with live animals often requires early-morning and late-night chores and wellness checks, especially if the sheep are lambing on site. Some solar sites offer a smartphone app that allows authorized personnel to check in and out 24 hours a day. The overall theme of the workshop was that sheep and solar work well together and the two industries need to continue to develop that relation ship. It was a message that wasn’t lost on the solar companies represented in Texas. “Our approach is light on the land and as much dual usage as we can,” said Aubree Muse of Candela Renewables. “Our job is to make sure the projects are as environmentally friendly as they can be, and

An expert panel representing all facets of solar grazing touched on several topics.

people from different spheres in the same room working together and wanting to find solutions for how we can continue to do that. We’ve got developers and grazers, and it’s cool that we’re working together to make grazing happen on as many of these sites as possible. The benefits of solar grazing are endless.”

the industry is turning toward sheep grazing to be a part of that. Muse grew up around cattle in Kentucky, so she brings more of a livestock background to the table than many in the solar industry. “It’s been a really good day,” she said. “It’s always nice to see so many

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